MLB: Optimism high for Reds fans

It's wasn't quite the Beatles landing at JFK airport in 1964, but a palpable buzz greeted representatives of the Cincinnati Reds at Polaris Fashion Place Saturday.

Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch

It’s wasn’t quite the Beatles landing at JFK airport in 1964, but a palpable buzz greeted representatives of the Cincinnati Reds at Polaris Fashion Place.

About 50 fans were gathered an hour before the Reds even began their caravan stop in Columbus yesterday, and hundreds more eventually streamed by to meet and speak with owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty for two hours.

“People are pretty excited about what’s going on with the Reds,” Castellini said. “We’re feeling it all over Reds country. There is a lot of anticipation that we’re going to do well. Walt filled a lot of holes that we knew were there.”

Jocketty added starting pitcher Mat Latos, relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Marshall and outfielder Ryan Ludwick to return Cincinnati to the playoffs after missing the postseason last season with a disappointing 79-83 record and third-place finish in the National League Central.

Those deals came while division rivals St. Louis and Milwaukee sustained notable losses.

St. Louis, coming off a World Series championship, watched first baseman Albert Pujols leave for the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent and Tony La Russa retire as manager. The Brewers must defend their Central title without first baseman Prince Fielder, who signed a free-agent deal with Detroit.

Rivals’ subtractions and Reds’ additions have created a notable giddiness as the team’s four-day caravan, with stops in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, ends today.

“There is a lot of excitement,” Jocketty said. “In the last few days, I’ve had people come up to me and say they’ve been lifelong Reds fans who have lost interest in the past few years, but now they feel rejuvenated and reinterested in the Reds and the direction the team is going in. That’s what we like to hear and what the Castellini ownership group is trying to achieve.”

Last week, Cincinnati bolstered its outfield by signing Ludwick to a one year, $2.5 million deal, which followed the team giving a one-year, $8.2 million deal to Madson, a free agent who saved 32 games last season for Philadelphia.

Jocketty also added Marshall, a setup reliever, by trading starting pitcher Travis Wood and a couple of minor-league players to the Chicago Cubs.

His biggest move, however, was adding Latos to the rotation in a trade with San Diego for first baseman Yonder Alonso, starter Edinson Volquez and two prospects.

“It’s always tough to give up young players, but sometimes you have to do that to improve the club,” Jocketty said. “Our offseason objective was to improve our pitching, which we did. We have a deep bullpen and strong rotation. And our everyday club is solid.”

Despite the positive vibe, there still is some angst among Reds fans in regards to first baseman Joey Votto, the 2010 NL Most Valuable Player who is eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.

Pujols signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels. Fielder got a nine-year, $214 million deal from the Tigers. Can the Reds, with a payroll of around $80 million, afford to keep Votto, who will make $9.5 million this season and $19 million in the final year of his contract?

Jocketty said the Reds have no interest in trading Votto, despite persistent rumors. He added that the team hopes to give long-term deals to Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, who is entering the final season of his contract.

“It comes down to economics and how well we draw (attendance),” Jocketty said. “We have to grow our revenue to raise our payroll.”

Jocketty said third baseman Scott Rolen (shoulder) and shortstop Zack Cozart (elbow) are expected to be 100 percent when spring training begins. Pitchers and catchers report to camp in Arizona on Feb. 18, and position players are due five days later.

“I feel very good about the team,” Jocketty said. “You never really know until you get to spring training and see things unfold. But our players are excited about what we’ve been doing.”